If you read some of the pre-911-01 Congressional Intel Committee reports (they are online on the governmental websites), 9-11 attacks shouldn't have been that great a surprise to our 'illustrious' elected.
Reports of al-Qaeda, bin Laden, and similar terror groups were discussed in those even in the mid-1990s. [Of course, you have those like presidential candidate John Kerry, who actually co-chaired an Intel committee -- but admitted he never attended any meetings.]
After the 911 attacks our 'elected' played dumb to save their own political hides, and our appointed/Civil Service governental officials played dumb to save their appointements/Civil Service positions.
Cover-up is the second biggest ongoing event in government; the first being porkbarrell graft and corruption. They get elected to service the people, but they quickly change to serving themselves. How many 'elected' ever went to Washington 'of modest means' and retired with untold wealth -- on Congressional pay?
I joined the Young Republicans back in 1970
I got to see politicians and their "hanger ons" up close
What a revelation
All they care about is being elected and stayin power
And that was the GOP who I thought would be different than the left wing democrats